Canadian Studies Center Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies University of Washington Thomson Hall, Room 503 Box 353650 Seattle, WA 98195-3650 http://jsis.washington.edu/canada 206.221.6374 An Introduction to Canadian Music by erin maloney

Be it the rousing maritime work songs and village fiddlers their own fiddle styles, indigenous and popular music which of eastern Canada, the throat singing of Inuit women or the have made notable contributions to the conceptualization chansonniers of Québec, creating an all-inclusive definition of the music of North America. In addition, traditional work of the music of Canada is nearly impossible. The music of songs and shanties can be found all over Canada, and Canada is as diverse as the landscape, and has made many continue to manifest in contemporary Canadian song. significant contributions to popular, classical, traditional and indigenous musical spheres of the world. Many of the First Nation’s traditional music can be heard in various festivals and broadcasts across Canada. Perhaps the Each region in Canada has its own sounds and traditions, most widely recognized and unique First Nation music are lending unique qualities to the tapestry of Canadian music. the throat singing games of the Inuit people. This tradition is The French, English, Scottish and Irish immigrants brought with enjoying a rekindled interest by Inuit youths, and is breaking them their instruments and traditional sounds, finding new into the realm of popular music with fusion groups such as roots in a new land. As waves of settlers moved westward Tûdjaat. The indigenous population has embraced sounds they brought their traditions and instruments with them, and from all over the world, in turn creating a new wave of their music reflected their new surroundings and interactions interest and pride in the First Nation communities. with the indigenous people. Canada has become home to people from all over the globe, all of whom contribute The cosmopolitan nature of Canadian music is the result of to the uniquely Canadian soundscape. As a result of this their embrace of the world’s music. Canadian music can not cultural mélange, several distinct Canadian hybrid genres be limited to specific genres or regions, as the music itself is have emerged. a reflection of a diverse and receptive population.

Eastern Canadian is known internationally for its myriad About the Author: of fiddle styles, and has paved the way for the creation of As an ethnomusicologist, Erin Maloney is primarily interested an international “Celtic” music. Québec has combined the in the role of music in Celtic revivalism in the New World, traditional music elements of Brittany, Ireland, Scotland and nationalism, and the dynamics of tradition. As a Foreign indigenous peoples to create a uniquely Québécois sound Language and Area Studies Fellow through the Canadian that has become synonymous with Québécois pride. The Studies Center, Erin has been afforded the opportunity to Great Lakes and Prairie region is home to many Francophone focus on these issues in Québec, in preparation for fieldwork and Anglophone balladeers. The western provinces have in Québec and the Maritimes this fall.